Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and looking to make your first dollar before you turn 18?
Online reselling is one of the best ways to start making a decent amount of money without much investment and experience.
Depop is one such online marketplace, from where you can kickstart your online reselling journey because it’s seller friendly.
Moreover, you no longer have to pay the 10% seller fee as Depop recently announced that it’s removing the selling fees in the US.
Now, there is one question that must be popping in mind. How old do you have to be to sell on Depop?
Well, in today’s blog, we are going to answer this question and everything else you need to know as a teenager about selling on Depop.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Sell on Depop?
To create an account on Depop, you must be at least 13 years old. This age requirement by Depop is to comply with COPPA regulations.
However, it’s important to understand that while you can create a Depop seller account at any age above 13, you can’t sell on Depop unless you are 18.
The reason why you must be at least 18 to become a seller on Depop is that you can’t create a Depop Payments or Depop account before you are 18.
Problems with Selling on Depop If You Are Under 18
1. Payment Issues
One of the problems that sellers under 18 face on Depop is managing payments. Since Depop requires sellers to have a PayPal account to receive payments, and PayPal itself has an age requirement of 18, minors may find themselves in a difficult situation.
Many Depop sellers under 18 opt to use a parent’s or guardian’s PayPal account, which sometimes leads to complications. For example, if a payment dispute arises, the account holder (the parent or guardian) would be responsible for resolving it. This often leads to misunderstandings and financial disputes within families.
Moreover, PayPal has strict policies against account sharing, and if they detect that someone else is accessing the account, it will result in the account being frozen, which would mean losing access to any funds currently held in that account.
2. Shipping Issues
Shipping is another area where Depop sellers under the age of 18 often encounter problems. Shipping items involves more than just dropping a package in the mail; it requires careful planning and understanding of various shipping options, costs, and delivery times.
Minors might not have the experience or knowledge to accurately calculate shipping costs or choose the most appropriate shipping method. This leads to undercharging for shipping, which means the seller has to cover the difference, eating into profits. Alternatively, overcharging results in unhappy customers and negative reviews.
There’s also the practical issue of getting to a post office or shipping facility, which might require transportation that a minor doesn’t have easy access to. Furthermore, shipping involves sharing your home address, which raises privacy concerns, especially for younger sellers who might not fully understand the risks involved in disclosing personal information.
3. No Seller Protection
Depop offers limited seller protection, and this protection is primarily available to sellers who adhere strictly to their guidelines. For minors who are selling on Depop in violation of the platform’s age requirements, this protection is almost non-existent.
If a dispute arises, such as a buyer claiming an item was not received or that it was not as described, Depop is unlikely to provide support to underage sellers. This leaves them vulnerable to scams and dishonest buyers.
Without seller protection, sellers under 18 are at a higher risk of losing money or sold items without recourse. Moreover, resolving disputes requires a certain level of maturity and understanding of consumer rights and online business practices, which underage sellers usually lack.
4. Privacy Concerns
Sharing your personal information online, such as your address for returns or refunds is risky, especially when you’re underage. You might not be aware of how to protect your personal information, which could expose you to unknown dangers such as identity theft or harassment.
Should I Lie About My Age on Depop?
No, you should not lie about your age on Depop because it’s morally incorrect and also can land you in trouble.
If you lie about your age while signing up as a seller and Depop later finds out, then it will result in:
- Permanent suspension or temporary deactivation of your account.
- Freezing of pending payments.
- Loss of seller protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you need an ID to get paid on Depop?
Yes, you do need to verify your identity by uploading your ID to get paid on Depop via Depop Payments.
Can you sell on Depop without a bank account?
Yes, you can sell on Depop without a bank account but you won’t be able to receive payment until you connect a valid bank account. If you don’t have a bank account connected to your Depop account then all the money from sales will remain in the Depop balance.
